After the entrance ceremony, all freshmen had to check which class they were assigned to and then head to their respective classrooms.
The assignment results were posted on a bulletin board outside the auditorium, but right after the ceremony, the freshmen swarmed in, creating a chaotic mess.
Lower class, middle class, upper class. Depending on where you were assigned, life at the academy could vary drastically, so those unsure of their standing would naturally check with bated breath.
Of course, even those confident enough to be placed in the upper class weren’t exactly relaxed.
No matter how confident you are, it’s human nature to feel uneasy until you see it with your own eyes. So, even folks like Harold and Lilith were probably squeezing through the crowd, desperately trying to see where they were placed.
Meanwhile, Seria, who absolutely hates crowds, was just watching from afar, not even bothering to join.
Seria… well, she probably already knew where she’d be placed. Even though she collapsed during the practical exam, everyone knew about her talent.
Besides, the person who defeated her ended up winning against all the other freshmen, so no one would dare hold that against her. And even if they did, she’d just crush them with her skills later.
And as for me… I didn’t need to check either. If I’m not in the upper class, who would be?
Sure enough, after the crowd thinned out, I took a quick glance and saw that both Seria and I were, unsurprisingly, assigned to the upper class.
Even Harold and Lilits, who were frantically checking the board, made it to the upper class. As for the protagonist, Artes… oh, there he is. Lower class, but near the top? Not bad at all.
Anyway, even though I stirred things up, there weren’t any major changes in the results. It was almost identical to my memories, which just goes to show how fair and accurate the original evaluation system was.
Now that I’ve checked, I guess it’s time to head out.
By now, some of the students must’ve already arrived and taken their seats in the classroom. I shouldn’t waste too much time waiting for the crowd to thin out. I should probably hurry.
“Rudion. Let’s go together.”
“Huh? Oh, sure.”
But as I was about to leave, Seria tagged along. What? I thought she was just standing there, waiting for everyone to leave so she could go alone. Turns out she was waiting for me?
“It was obvious we’d be in the upper class, so why bother checking?”
“Did you really have to wait just to check?”
“Well, just because.”
I was actually waiting to see the results of the other kids, but if I said it straight like that, it might come off as stalker-ish, so I brushed it off.
Anyway, looks like this kid is also a student around my age after all.
In the original, they were a lone wolf character who didn’t have any friends and just went around soloing everything, but now that they’ve made a friend, it seems like they want to hang out together.
Of course, I don’t know if they consider me a friend yet…
Anyway, getting to experience Seria’s companion mode, which was supposed to happen much later, is pretty rare. I’ll do my best to maintain a good relationship from now on.
Not just Seria, but I should get along well with all the main characters. Since I know their personalities, preferences, and even their hidden secrets, it shouldn’t be too hard.
“Back when I went to the Student Council Building, I got the feeling that Rudion wasn’t new to the academy.”
“I just looked into some things personally. I’m usually good at finding my way around.”
That’s a lie. I’m the type who only knows memorized routes and gets lost easily.
But since I’ve mostly figured out the geography of this world, I guess I’ve become good at finding my way?
“Still, how should I put it… It feels like you’re too comfortable, like you’re at home. Given my status, I can usually tell when someone’s nervous or cautious around me, but you don’t seem like that at all.”
“Confidence is key for a man.”
“For someone so confident, you seemed really nervous during your speech in the auditorium earlier.”
“No, that was…”
Hey, Seria. I did that for you, and this is how you treat me?
But was this character always this talkative?
In the original, they’d just show up, solve the problem, and leave. Even when they became a companion later, it was during a heavier part of the story, so they mostly just fought silently without much talking.
Seeing them talk so much and be so cheerful early on feels strange and oddly refreshing.
…If it weren’t for me, they’d probably still be alone, ignoring everyone and living aloofly, right?
No way, you’re coming with me to make lots of friends.
Later, when I get closer to the other kids, I’ll bring Seria along and promote them as a good kid who’s just a bit shy.
Thanks to Seria’s constant chattering, the walk to the 1st Year Advanced Class Building wasn’t boring at all.
The reason it’s noticeably bigger than the other buildings is because it’s packed with all sorts of training equipment.
It was.
If you only provide that to the upper classes, wouldn’t it be unfair since it would create a gap with those below? But honestly, if you don’t have the physical ability and skills of an upper-class student, you wouldn’t even be able to keep up with it.
Things like machines that shoot painful magic bullets at high speed, or magic devices that emit such a foul smell you’d pass out if you don’t quickly release the magic circuits…
Even the upper-class students fail countless times and end up in terrible states, so what’s the point of providing that to the lower classes?
Of course, the lower classes probably have similar things. Like machines that just shoot balls—those are probably set up even in the lower classes.
But over there, they focus more on improving basics and proficiency, so it’s more about direct lectures than training. That’s probably why their stats improve better.
Personal training only becomes effective after those basics are properly established—it’s not efficient enough to prioritize.
Of course, there are some who rise purely based on physical ability and talent, regardless of basics and proficiency…
“If Seria’s like that, Lilith is a bit concerning.”
Based on the sparring results, those two showed quite a lack of proficiency.
Seria has always relied on pushing through with her magic, but since that’ll work in the end, it’s fine.
But Lilith isn’t like that. Despite being a saintess who wields holy power, she fights like a martial artist—which was the case in the original, so we’ll let that slide—but her basics themselves are just weak.
“Originally, she joined during the first semester’s finals and was way behind compared to others…”
Back then, she at least knew she was behind and showed a focus on improving her basics.
But now that she’s joined as a freshman… it doesn’t seem like she’s doing that anymore.
Despite her calm appearance, she’s like a hot-blooded punk.
Given her tendency to charge into anything, if left alone, she’d definitely get beaten up by magic bullets, covered in bruises, and reeking of that foul smell while attending lectures.
Maybe I should intervene before that happens. While pondering this, I suddenly found myself in front of the lecture hall.
It seems everyone’s already gathered, as murmuring sounds were coming from inside.
“Looks like we’re the last ones.”
“We’re a bit late. Let’s go in.”
When I opened the door, the murmuring students suddenly went quiet.
Did they think I was the professor? Too bad. I’m just a student.
It was life.
I thought the guys who checked it out would start chatting among themselves again, but… somehow the atmosphere felt off.
“What were you two doing that made you late?”
“See? I told you they’re up to something.”
“Shut up. Because of you, I keep looking suspicious too.”
“If it looks that way, it’s because it is.”
“Ugh, stop it.”
Why are they whispering while looking at us? Do they have something to say?
“Hehe, everyone seems to be having an interesting conversation.”
Seria, with her sharp ears, probably heard everything they said.
But since she’s not reacting, it must be nothing serious.
Ignoring them, I glanced around the classroom and noticed a good back seat was still available.
Nice. I was about to head straight there…
“Hey! Rudion! Come sit here!”
I ended up sitting in the front row next to Lilith instead.
Seria followed and sat next to me.
The flowers in both hands were insane… It would’ve been better if it wasn’t the front row.
Lilith, who made me sit next to her, started talking.
“Rudion. About yesterday… I’m sorry?”
I guess she felt embarrassed about the mischief she caused yesterday. For her to apologize with her face turning red, even though she’s usually so carefree.
With her bright silver hair and innocent appearance, it’s quite a sight. But deep down, she’s still Lilith.
Sigh. Well, she’s a newbie who didn’t know better. I should forgive her.
“It’s fine. I don’t really care.”
“That’s a relief, but…”
Lilith seemed to have more to say but hesitated and didn’t bring it up.
Instead, Seria casually chimed in, forcing me to turn my head.
“Hmm, Rudion, are you close with Lilith?”
“Close? You saw her trying to beat me up yesterday, right?”
“So you just listen to whatever pretty girls say, huh…”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing.”
She’s definitely not making a “nothing” face right now.
Did I do something wrong? I can’t figure it out even if I think about it.
